This is Ask Lisa, a podcast to help people understand the psychology of parenting, now in the midst of a pandemic.

Psychologist Dr. Lisa DeMore, author of two New York Times best-selling parenting books, takes your questions.

And I'm co-host, Rina Ninan, a journalist and mom of two.

Some of what we talk about comes from raising children ourselves. Most of the time, I'll be getting

answers to your parenting questions. So send your questions to Ask Lisa at Dr.Lisademore.com.

Episode 41, how do I help my kid find friends again?

So I feel like finally there are some things pre-pandemic that are returning back into our

lives again.

Yeah.

Yeah.

We talked a little bit about sibling rivalries.

That's coming back strong. That's been going strong the whole time. So true. We never lost that one.

Maybe we're just at a point where we can hardly take it anymore. You're right. Such a good point.

But it's nice to see, you know, kids getting back with their friends. We're talking birthday parties,

which we weren't

really months ago. We got a letter from a parent who's talking about finding friends. You know,

you've been so isolated. You think about the impact it has on children. And this parent writes,

Dear Lisa, you've been so helpful throughout this pandemic, and I'm hopeful that you can help

advise me now. My 12 and a half year

daughter is in the seventh grade at a new school this year. When school opened up, I insisted

that she go back in person for social reasons. In school, she reports that she's always alone.

She doesn't know anyone. She carries a book with her at all times. I can only imagine her loneliness

...